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Running head: NWSCHAT AND CONFERENCE CALLSTraining for Effective National Weather Service (NWS) Communication in Chat andConference CallsVanessa PearceA Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the Degree of Master of Arts, Public AffairsPark University15 July 2012The author may be contacted at Communication and Leadership, Park University,Parkville, MO 64152: Vanessa.Pearce@park.edu

PearceNWSCHAT AND CONFERENCE CALLS2ABSTRACTStaff of the National Weather Service Offices should be able to understandinterpersonal communication and public relations in order to better serve their missionto “protect lives and property” as well as work with their internal and external partners(NWS Internet Services Team). Two technologies have been developed to assist theintegration of multiple external partners in one place at one time particularly NationalWeather Service (NWS) Chat and conference calls. This training is designed toaddress these technologies to hopefully inspire offices across the country to see thebenefits of their proper usage. A needs assessment and inquiry to internal and externalpartners provoked demonstration of effective technological usage; information on theinquiries and a table (Table I) on the needs assessment can be found in this document.The initial training session showed improvements in the knowledge base by thetrainees, and their scores on the skills of the trainer revealed this method andassociated information to be appropriate. Two tables (Table II and Table III) in thedocument demonstrate these statistics. Supplemental documentation such as learningactivities and PowerPoint presentations are provided in the Learning Activities section ofthis document. The intent of this training is not to criticize any current policies that areutilized by National Weather Service offices around the country but to offer alternativesolutions for all external partners committed to serve and protect the public fromweather hazards in one location at any given time.

PearceNWSCHAT AND CONFERENCE CALLS3Training for Effective National Weather Service (NWS) Communication in Chat andConference CallsA federal agency responsible for effective communication and dissemination tothe public of severe weather watches and warnings is the National Weather Service. Intheir efforts to provide such services, there are several internal and external partners tohelp the process. The staff of the National Weather Service Offices should be able tounderstand interpersonal communication and public relations in order to better servetheir mission to “protect lives and property” as well as work with their partners (NWSInternet Services Team). Two technologies have been developed to assist theintegration of multiple external partners in one place at one time. These twotechnologies are National Weather Service (NWS) Chat and conference calls. In anever changing technological and scientific world, it is difficult for many staff members toutilize these forms of technology in an effective and efficient manner to maintain properpartnerships with other related agencies and fields. An assessment, general inquiry,and personal knowledge and communication have revealed the need for offices acrossthe country that are not utilizing the technology to its capability and improve itseffectiveness. This training is designed to address these technologies to hopefullyinspire offices across the country to see the benefits of their proper usage.The training is not intended to critique or criticize the individual office policies onthese two forms of technology. It is designed to offer suggestions and show examplesto present alternative approaches on their use. Supplemental documentation such aslearning activities and PowerPoint presentations are provided in the Learning Activities

PearceNWSCHAT AND CONFERENCE CALLS4section of this document. These learning activities were created to encourageexploration in public information, recognition of current office weaknesses, and potentialsolutions to

(NWS Internet Services Team). Two technologies have been developed to assist the integration of multiple external partners in one place at one time particularly National Weather Service (NWS) Chat and conference calls. This training is designed to address these technologies to hopefully inspire offices across the country to see the